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Jon Cruddas MP has been contacted by Crossrail regarding the progress they have made over the last three months in line with their commitment to openness and transparency. The Elizabeth Line has suffered a number of setbacks which have delayed the launch, but Jon has been assured it is now in the final stages of completion.

Crossrail Chairman Tony Meggs said: “Crossrail remains a hugely complex project, which is now in its final and most challenging phase due to significant integration and testing work that remains to be completed.” And confirmed that the “Elizabeth line remains on schedule to open between October 2020 and March 2021.”

Progress over the last three months includes:

- Close headway multi-train testing - which involves trains running close together - commenced on 8 June 2019 as part of the Dynamic Testing phase

- Central section stations are reaching an advanced state of completion with final fit-out and testing and commissioning work underway (fit-out and systems installation is continuing at Bond Street).

- Fifteen new class 345 trains are in operation with TfL Rail on the eastern and western parts of the route, building reliability and achieving a high standard of performance

- The first nine-car (full-length) train is now in passenger service from Hayes & Harlington to Paddington. These longer trains will be used when TfL Rail services commence between Paddington and Reading in December 2019

- Network Rail has awarded contracts for the construction of the remaining new or enhanced ticket halls at Southall, Hayes & Harlington, West Drayton, Ealing Broadway, West Ealing and Acton Main Line stations.

Jon Cruddas MP commented: “Whilst the delays have attracted much negative media, I am pleased that work is being carried out in a thorough way to ensure the delivery of a safe and reliable passenger service for my constituents.”

Jon added: “in the coming months I hope to visit one of the new Crossrail stations to see first hand the progress that has been made.”